Maoist dead, jawan injured in exchange of fire in Odisha’s Kandhamal

Phulbani: A Maoist suspectedly died and a DVF jawan sustained bullet injuries in exchange of fire between the security forces and the extremists in Kamberikia forest under Baliguda police limits in Odisha’s Kandhamal district on Saturday.

As per reports, Kandhamal SP Suvendu Kumar Patra had received information regarding the presence of Maoists at a camp in the forest, where they were planning to attack the security forces.

Acting on the tip-off, a search operation was carried out by the jawans in the forest, during which the Maoists opened fire at the security forces in the evening.

Subsequently, an exchange of fire ensured as the DVF jawans retaliated. While it is being suspected that a Maoist died in the encounter, a DVF jawan sustained bullet injuries on his left hand. The rebels later ran helter-skelter.

The jawan was initially rushed to the Baliguda Hospital and later shifted to a hospital in Bhubaneswar for better treatment.

Combing operation has been intensified in the forest after the incident.